In the early part of our meeting we talked of healing as the surest form of outreach in Christian Science. One member reminded us of the many healings spontaneously effected by Mary Baker Eddy as she was nominally involved in other activities — for instance the healing of a cold-afflicted reporter on the other end of a telephone line, trying to pump her household for information; and the healing of a showroom salesman's infected eye as she was engaged in a furniture purchase. She generously shared her reflected spiritual power without reference to any need to herd them into a church enclosure.

A very devout Catholic visitor to our meeting — he had never heard of Christian Science — then asked us to have a look at some of his favorite prayers.  (We had been wanting to dialogue with members of other faiths, so here was our desire turned to actuality.)  He wanted to know what we thought of the 23rd Psalm, which he repeats every night before going to sleep. A member read us the version quoted by Mrs. Eddy on page 578 of Science and Health where the word "Love" is substituted for "Lord". Our visitor also requested our interpretation of a beautiful prayer to Our Lady of Perpetual Care — i. e., a manifestation of the Virgin Mary. It has many of the same comforting sentiments expressed in the Christian Science Daily Prayer (see The Manual of The Mother Church, by Mary Baker Eddy, page 41), although the language is quite different. We then discussed Michael, our new friend's favorite Saint, and read a passage from the textbook about him, including this: "He leads the hosts of heaven against the power of sin, Satan, and fights the holy wars" (Science and Health, pp. 566-567).

We went on to how we each prepare spiritually to face our day. One member said he establishes harmony in his thought by actively knowing that God is the only presence and power — if time is short, he can do it while shaving or bathing. Another goes through a process of meditation, prayer and study of the Christian Science Lesson: covering aspects of his own life together with world work. Our visitor just knows that there's a God and goes forward. He bases his faith on experience: "He has shown Himself to me." Another member relishes the sun streaming through his window, his bowl of cereal and The New York Times as representing the divine presence, meeting his need. (Another member couldn't resist seeing the Aten, Ceres and Hermes peeking through the symbols, preparing thought for the absolute realization of divinity in action.)

Here briefly are some additional areas explored:

1) A member wondered whether he was truly happy for friends who have good in their lives — or was he prone to an undercurrent of envy and consequent animosity? He is watching his feelings on this score and striving to work them through. Furthermore, he wants to seek and find the Science of all appearances, whether good or bad. It is one thing to celebrate the good fortune of another, but to leave it there in the realm of belief is surely malpractice.

2) Along these same lines, he wondered whether he and other students of Christian Science can move through praise or insult with equanimity, keeping a firm grasp on the realities of being in spite of such human evaluations? He felt that if he and others could keep the faith, it would act as a great boost to spiritual growth in these trying circumstances.

3) "Being vulnerable" is a trait much touted in some groups today. How might this work in Christian Science? Is there a tendency to clench up and start framing treatments based on human will when a problem presents itself or can we —  sometimes at least — relax a bit and let "evil have its due", and chemicalization proceed until the full shape of the belief is revealed and then met by the full force of Science?

4) Do Christian Scientists get face lifts? Or even body lifts? Yes indeed. The face, or body, is the way we usually identify someone. Therefore we lift our identity to God, its source—this would be a full identity lift. "The Id would be handed over to the Entity." The so-called face or body must respond to its underlying, non-dualistic reality.

5) A member was briefly swept into the vortex of an addled sex junkie's world. Once he was free he felt it his duty — particularly in light of our topic — to work to see man as completely satisfied. "The rich in spirit help the poor in one grand brotherhood, all having the same Principle, or Father; and blessed is that man who seeth his brother's need and supplieth it, seeking his own in another's good" (Science and Health, p. 518:15-19).

6) Was Jesus Gay — or Black? These questions came up to the consternation of several in attendance. One member offered the view that it is perfectly natural for communities to want their Savior in a form they can identify with — as for instance all those quattro-centro paintings of Biblical characters depicted as Italians wearing Renaissance clothes. In any case with Christian Science we take the Christ out of any particular context, freeing it for application to all concepts.

7) The Amadou Diallo verdict this week greatly concerned us and many other New Yorkers. Some members felt it would ultimately be ineffective to blame the police alone. There has to be an outreach from all communities to embrace an understanding of others and their ways of life. It's a giant wake up call and for our part we want to stay awake, bear correct witness, as to the divinity of everyone in all the varied communities of our town.

We'll take a look at Dreams for next week.